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Chapter 16 – A Prickly Bouquet

Puck managed to catch up to Kurt pretty quickly. He grabbed the boy's arm and pushed him against the wall, placing his hands either side of his head to trap him there.

"I could just walk backwards through this wall you know," Kurt pointed out.

"There are too many people around, they'd see," Puck retaliated and Kurt sighed knowing it was true. "Now, are we gonna talk?"

"I'm not convinced any conversation between us is necessary," Kurt said. "Maybe you should just go back and flirt with the slutty red-head."

"Mia's not much of a slut," Puck replied. "She's fine to make-out and give head if you go down on her but she won't let anyone fuck her yet. She's saving that for someone special apparently."

Kurt didn't respond. He just stared at his finely manicured nails.

"Ok, so you saw me with a girl and you got jealous," Puck commented.

"I wasn't jealous," Kurt mumbled in denial.

"Right, of course not," Puck snorted. "You wanna know why I was flirting with Mia?"

"No," Kurt answered.

"Well I'm gonna tell you anyway," Puck replied. "We were having a really good time last night. That date with you is like the best date I've ever had, and trust me, I've had a lot. Then we went back to yours and… fuck, you were so hot Kurt. I wanted to fuck you, like, so bad. But you weren't ready, things went too fast, I get that and I'm sorry ok. But then it just got awkward and you refused to even talk about it. You just pretended to be asleep. And I'm not used to getting denied like that. It was kinda humiliating for me actually. I needed a little confidence boost. So yeah, I flirted with a girl so she could laugh at my jokes, tell me how hot I am and make me feel better. That's honestly all it was."

"Whatever," Kurt mumbled.

"Fuck," Puck swore. "Just tell me how to make it up to you."

"I don't know," Kurt shrugged. "I guess you could stop flirting with girls."

"So you were jealous," Puck smirked and Kurt looked away. "Alright, deal," he accepted. "No more flirting with girls."

"No fooling around with girls either," Kurt added.

"Not a problem," Puck assured him. "Look at me," he requested gently hooking his finger under Kurt's chin and tilting his head up. "This isn't some game to me. I'm in to you, Kurt. This is serious."

He pressed his lips to Kurt's mouth as if to prove his words. Kurt's eyelids fluttered closed at the contact and he allowed himself to enjoy the kiss for a moment before he pulled back, quickly looking left to right to see if anybody looked ready to attack them for kissing in the corridor. Luckily, it didn't seem like anybody had really noticed, and if they had they certainly didn't make a fuss about it.

"Maybe we could…" Kurt wanted to suggest that they get together for some kind of second date, but he lost his nerve. "Never mind," Kurt shook his head. "I need to get to class. I'll, um, see you in Glee Club."

"I'll save you a seat," Puck replied stealing a quick kiss from a surprised Kurt's lips before sauntering away.

XXX

"You know, it could be really romantic if we got Puck to send Kurt a bouquet of flowers," Mercedes suggested to Tina, Santana and Brittany.

"Eww, who cares about romance?" Santana asked.

"Um, Kurt," Mercedes pointed out.

"Ok, I'm all for getting Kurt's pretty ass defiled by Puckerman," Santana said. "But do we really have to bring romance and flowers into the equation?"

"I think flowers are nice," Brittany offered.

"Alright, then we'll make Puck send Lady Hummel flowers," Santana agreed since Brittany thought it was a good idea.

"Should we let Puck pick out the flowers himself?" Mercedes asked.

"Absolutely not," Tina answered. "He'd only get it wrong."

"But wouldn't it be nicer if Puck chose?" Brittany asked. "And Kurt's smart. He knows Puck's never given flowers to a girl before. If we pick out some really nice ones he'll probably know we told Puck to do it."

"Britt's right," Santana agreed with the blonde again. "We should let Puck choose."

"Tina?" Mercedes looked to the pseudo-vampire for her opinion.

"Whatever," Tina shrugged.

"Great, I'll let Puck know," Brittany smiled before running off down the corridor in search of the boy.

"Even when she runs it looks like dancing," Santana commented in what she thought was an inaudible whisper but Tina's improved hearing meant she caught every word with perfect clarity.

"You know," Tina said to Mercedes once Santana had wandered off. "Maybe we could get Santana and Brittany together too."

"I don't know," Mercedes shrugged. "I don't really understand what's going on with them. Sometimes it seems like they're dating but other times I'm not so sure. And they both sleep with a lot of dudes."

"Trust me, Santana is totally wet for Brittany," Tina stated.

"But does Brittany feel the same way?" Mercedes asked.

"I'm not sure," Tina admitted. "But Rachel would be able to find out. And I'm sure Brittany would be up for lesbian experimentation. Assuming they haven't already done that."

"But wouldn't Santana murder us in our sleep if we tried to interfere with her love life?" Mercedes asked.

"She'd try," Tina nodded. "But 'Cedes, look at us, we're super-chicks now. Nobody can mess with us."

"I guess that's true," Mercedes acknowledged. "So how would we go about getting Santana and Brittany together?"

"Let's talk to Rachel first," Tina suggested. "Find out if she has any idea about how Brittany feels."

"Speaking of Rachel," Mercedes said a little tentatively. "She and Artie seem to be getting pretty close."

"Yes, I'd noticed," Tina commented.

"And are you ok with that?" Mercedes asked. "I know you and Artie were… you know, almost."

"Almost," Tina repeated. "But we never actually were. And that's ok. I'm totally happy for Art-erry to happen."

"Well if you ever feel the need to dig into a tub of ice-cream and have a good cry about it then you know I'm here for you," Mercedes told her.

"Actually, I haven't cried since the Choir Room incident," Tina said. "I'm not even sure if I still can."

"Damn, all this power stuff is so weird," Mercedes replied. "Do you think it will ever just go away?"

"I hope not," Tina answered. "I love the new me way too much."

"Well just be careful though," Mercedes advised.

XXX

Arriving to Glee rehearsal, Kurt found that Puck had indeed saved him a seat. He sat beside the muscular boy and offered an awkward smile.

"Hey babe," Puck greeted winding an arm around Kurt's shoulders and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

Mr. Schue had just arrived and did a double-take as he saw the interaction between his two pupils. He looked slightly surprised but made no comment as he moved to stand at the front of the room.

"Alright guys," Mr. Schue called gaining their attention. "We know that Vocal Adrenaline will be hard at work so we need to be putting in as much work as we can too. Now, Vocal Adrenaline is made up of a force of incredible dancers and just one really strong singer who features as a soloist for every number. We don't have as many members as Vocal Adrenaline and our dance skills aren't really on the same level," he admitted. "But that doesn't matter. We have two exceptional dancers," he indicated to Mike who sat up straighter in his chair looking proud, then to Brittany who applauded herself. "And when we hit that stage, Mike and Brittany are going to show Vocal Adrenaline what dancing really is. Right guys?"

"Totally," Brittany nodded and Santana beamed wildly at her while Mike shared a fist-bump with Matt.

"Now, as I said, Vocal Adrenaline really only has one strong vocal in its group," Mr. Schue continued. "But we've got a lot of vocal talent in this room and we're going to showcase that. I thought we'd start with the girls doing a mash-up of some great classic rock songs that the judges won't expect to hear from female vocalists."

I wish I could sing with the girls, Kurt thought longingly.

"Mr. Schue," Rachel raised her hand.

"Rachel?" Mr. Schue smiled at her. If I tilt my head this way I can see her panties.

Rachel promptly closed her legs and placed her jacket in her lap.

"Could Kurt join us for the rock mash-up?" Rachel asked. "He has vocal ability unique to anything Vocal Adrenaline has ever had. His voice would blend really well with the rest of us girls, right?" she looked to the others for support and Tina and Mercedes nodded earnestly.

"Kurt and Quinn's voices sound really beautiful together," Mercedes said.

"I'm sure they do," Mr. Schue replied. "But I think Kurt and Quinn's vocals, although undeniably beautiful, are a little soft and delicate to properly carry off a hardcore rock number. I was thinking that Rachel, Mercedes and Santana could share lead vocals for the rock mash-up."

Why do I even bother showing up? Kurt thought to himself. I never get to stand in the spotlight.

"In that case I'd like to nominate Kurt to perform a Broadway number as a solo piece," Rachel declared. "Vocal Adrenaline are very theatrical performers but they never perform Broadway pieces at competitions. If Kurt sang a solo it would definitely increase our chances of winning and the judges would certainly remember him because his voice is so special."

Please say yes, please say yes, Kurt thought hopefully.

"I'm sure Kurt would be great," Mr. Schue said. "But Broadway tunes are too risky for competitions."

Kurt deflated in his seat, Mercedes accidentally caused a freak bolt of lightening to hit Mr. Schue's car out in the parking lot and Tina imagined how satisfying it might be to choke-slam Mr. Schue through the piano. Turning in her seat, Rachel cast Kurt an apologetic look.

Thanks for trying, Kurt thought to her.

"Now, I want us to finish off with an energetic group number that we can all get involved in," Mr. Schue said cheerily. "But for a middle song I think it would be a great idea to do a duet."

"Could Kurt do the duet?" Rachel asked making another effort to give Kurt the chance in the spotlight he so clearly craved.

"I'm not sure if anyone else in here could really match Kurt vocally," Mr. Schue excused.

"Well I can," Rachel replied, the comment sounding more arrogant than she'd intended.

"Actually I had something else in mind for the duet," Mr. Schue said.

"Great, what song do you want me and Rachel to sing?" Finn asked. He missed Quinn's glare but everyone else noticed it.

"Actually I thought we'd feature Rachel and Artie for the duet piece," Mr. Schue said.

Artie turned to smirk in amusement at Finn.

"No way man," Finn argued standing up out of his seat. "I'm the male lead of this club. And I'm the reason we actually have enough members. Quinn, Santana and Brittany are here because of me and so are Puck, Mike and Matt."

"Artie was in this club before you joined," Tina pointed out. "He has just as much right to sing the duet as you do."

"Plus he's a better singer," Brittany said.

"And even when he was in his wheelchair he was a better dancer, dude," Mike said with apologetic honesty.

"This isn't fair," Finn complained.

"Look, Finn, I know you're disappointed," Mr. Schue tried to placate him. "But there will be plenty of other opportunities for you to perform, I promise."

"If Artie sings the duet with Rachel then I quit," Finn threatened. "And without me you don't have enough members."

Many times before Rachel had been the one threatening to quit the club over such ridiculous things. Seeing Finn's childish behaviour now only made her feel embarrassed for all the times she had been so petty.

"Finn, come on, that's not fair," Mr. Schue said. "You guys have all worked really hard for this."

"If they sing together," Finn pointed at Artie and Rachel. "I quit, I mean it."

"Well I am not singing with Finn," Rachel spoke up. "Either I perform a duet with Artie or I don't perform a duet at all."

"Alright, alright," Mr. Schue pinched the bridge of his nose. "How about Finn and Mercedes take the duet?"

"I guess I'm ok with that," Finn mumbled.

"Great," Mr. Schue smiled. "Mercedes?"

The girl looked around hesitantly, unsure if agreeing would be some kind of betrayal to the others. She looked to Kurt and Puck and they both nodded to her. She looked behind at Tina and Quinn who both smiled encouragingly. She then looked to Rachel and Artie and they both nodded supportively.

"Ok," Mercedes accepted.

"Great," Mr. Schue clapped his hands looking immensely relieved. "Alright, let's get to work."

XXX

"Hey Rachel, can we borrow you for a second?" Mercedes asked after Glee finished, Tina standing alongside her.

"Sure," Rachel smiled.

"I'll meet you outside and walk you home," Artie said and Rachel nodded.

"Can I help you with something?" Rachel asked. "Duet ideas maybe?" she prompted as thoughts about singing the duet circulated round Mercedes' head.

"I could use your help finding a song that will suit me and Finn," Mercedes acknowledged. "But Tina and I had something else in mind."

"We wanna help Santana and Brittany hook up," Tina explained.

"Oh, that's sweet, and obviously I am fully supportive of same-sex relationships," Rachel said. "But I'm not sure how much help I would be. Santana and Brittany don't even like me."

"We just wanna know how they feel about each other," Tina told her. "I can tell that Santana likes Brittany, it's insanely obvious to anyone who pays attention. But I can't work out how Brittany feels."

"We were wondering if you might have heard something," Mercedes said.

"I hear things, of course I do," Rachel shrugged. "But I'm really trying to work on blocking all the voices out. Some days I do really well but other days I just get a splitting headache."

"Just tell us what you know about Santana and Brittany," Tina encouraged. "We just want to know if trying to set them up together is worth it."

"Honestly, I think you should leave them alone," Rachel said. "Santana's almost like a different person when she thinks about Brittany. It's quite beautiful really. She's clearly besotted and I for one hope to see Santana fuel those emotions into solos one day but… she isn't anywhere near ready to come out. Just let her face up to her real feelings and approach a relationship with Brittany in her own time on her own terms. It wouldn't be fair for you two to meddle. "

"But…" Tina made to argue.

"No," Mercedes intercepted before Tina could make a full objection. "She's right. I'd be all for helping Santana and Brittany get together, but I'm not down to out anybody on their sexuality."

"Fine," Tina agreed. "But as soon as Santana is ready to come out we're helping her hook up with Brittany."

XXX

That evening, Puck walked up the Hummel driveway and knocked on the door.

"You again, huh?" Burt asked opening the door.

"Yeah, is Kurt home?" Puck responded.

"He's in his room," Burt said stepping back so the teenager could enter.

"Thanks," Puck stepped through.

"What the hell is that?" Burt asked noticing what the boy was carrying in his hand.

"Oh, right, some of the girls said I should get Kurt flowers," Puck explained. "You know, to be romantic."

"And that's what you picked?" Burt quirked an eyebrow.

"Um, yeah," Puck answered a little self-consciously. "The girls thought it would mean more if I picked it myself."

"If you say so," Burt said. "And Puck, you'd better keep it in your pants do you understand me?"

"Yes sir," Puck replied before heading down to Kurt's basement bedroom. "Hey babe," he greeted.

"Puck?" Kurt asked in surprise pausing in his yoga routine. "What is that?" he cocked his head to the side in confusion as he looked at what Puck was carrying in his hand.

"The girls told me I should pick you out a bouquet of flowers," Puck said. "They thought it would be better if I chose myself but I actually don't really like flowers that much so I picked this," he presented the gift to Kurt.

"You picked a cactus?" Kurt asked.

"Yeah, I thought it looked pretty badass so maybe it would remind you of me," Puck answered looking proud of himself for such a choice. "Do you like it?" he asked with a boyish grin.

"Um, it's…" Kurt looked up at Puck's face and couldn't bring himself to cause the smile on Puck's features to disappear. "I love it, thank you." He placed a quick kiss to Puck's cheek before placing the cactus on his windowsill.

"Hey, I'm sorry Mr. Schue wouldn't give you the duet or a solo," Puck said.

"Don't worry," Kurt shrugged. "I didn't expect to get it anyway. Still, it was at least nice that Rachel fought my corner."

"Well you know there is this cool karaoke bar that doesn't ID people," Puck said. "You could sing a solo or a duet with me there."

"When?" Kurt asked.

"Now," Puck replied.

Kurt thought it over for a few moments.

"Ok," Kurt agreed as he threw on a sparkly scarf. "Go upstairs, make sure to say goodbye to my dad and let him see you leave. I'll meet you on the corner of the street in like five minutes."

"Alright," Puck grinned.

XXX

Five minutes later, Kurt had snuck out of the house and made his way to the street corner where Puck was waiting in his truck.

To Be Continued…

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